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D-backs announce 2013 Minor League coaching staff

D-backs announce 2013 Minor League coaching staff

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MLB.com |

PHOENIX – The Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) announced their 2013 Minor League coaching staff, including the addition of former Philadelphia Phillies hitting coach Greg Gross (2001-04, ‘10-12) serving in the same capacity for Triple-A Reno. The announcement was made by D-backs Director, Player Development Mike Bell.

Combined, members of the D-backs’ Minor League coaching staff have more than 150 seasons of big league playing experience.

Jeff Pico, who previously held the position of Pitching Coordinator (2010-11) and served in several capacities since joining the organization in 2003, will begin his second season as Field Coordinator. Mel Stottlemyre Jr., who begins his 11th year with the D-backs will continue in his fifth season as Pitching Coordinator, having previously held the position from 2007-09. Alan Cockrell returns for his third season as Hitting Coordinator after previously serving as a big league hitting coach for the Rockies (2007-08) and Mariners (2009-10). Infield Coordinator Tony Perezchica returns for his 11th season with the D-backs and eighth in his current role, while former big league All-Star Joel Youngblood returns for his seventh season in the organization and fifth as Outfield and Baserunning Coordinator. Ten-year Major League veteran Carlos Hernandez returns as the Catching Coordinator.

Brett Butler returns for his fifth consecutive season as Reno’s manager while former big leaguer Mike Parrott will begin his 17th season with the organization, 12th as pitching coach for the D-backs’ Triple-A affiliate and fifth with the Aces (Tucson: 2001-07). Gross, who played for 17 seasons in the big leagues and held various positions with the Phillies Major League coaching staff for seven seasons, will bring over 19 years of professional coaching experience to the Aces. Reno finished 81-63 last season, setting a franchise record for wins, en route to claiming the club’s first Triple-A National Championship and Pacific Coast League Championship.

Former D-backs infielder Andy Green takes over as manager for Double-A Mobile after guiding Rookie-Advanced Missoula to a Pioneer League Championship last season. Green played in 136 games over three seasons with the D-backs and will begin his third year as the manager of a D-backs affiliate. Former Major League pitcher Dan Carlson will serve as the pitching coach for the BayBears for a third consecutive season, his 12th with the organization and Jacob Cruz will take over as hitting coach after serving in the same capacity with Single-A Advanced Visalia in 2012. The BayBears went 69-71 overall, including 6-2 in postseason play, capturing their second consecutive Southern League Championship.

Former big league manager Bill Plummer (Mariners, 1992) returns to the helm at Single-A Visalia after having previously managed for 21 Minor League seasons, compiling an overall record of 1,261-1,146 (.524), including a 412-403 (.506) mark in seven seasons leading D-backs farm clubs. Pitching coach Gil Heredia begins his fourth season with the organization after being promoted from Rookie-Advanced Missoula and will be joined by hitting coach Jason Hardtke who enters his fourth season with the organization and third with Visalia.

Mark Haley returns to manage Single-A South Bend for the ninth consecutive year alongside Wellington Cepeda, who for a fourth season will serve as the club’s pitching coach. Jason Camilli, a Phoenix native who will serve as the club’s hitting coach, was promoted from Short-Season Yakima.

Short-Season Hillsboro begins its inaugural season in Oregon, after 11 years as the D-backs’ affiliate in Yakima, Wash. Serving in the same capacity the past three seasons, Audo Vicente will be the first manager of the newly renamed Hillsboro Hops franchise and will be joined by former Cy Young Award winner Doug Drabek as the club’s pitching coach. J.R. House, who played in parts of five seasons with the Pirates, Astros and Orioles, will begin his second season as hitting coach following a promotion from Rookie-Advanced Missoula. The Bears went 36-40 overall and 21-17 in the first-half, clinching a first-half playoff berth, the first in club history.

Former D-backs catcher Robby Hammock takes over as manager of the Osprey after completing his first season as hitting coach with Rookie Arizona League D-backs. Hammock, completed a 14-year playing career following the 2011 season, including parts of six seasons in the Majors with the D-backs. He will be joined by pitching coach Doug Bochtler, and six-year Major League veteran and hitting coach Wilson Valera, who spent the last two seasons as part of the Major League coaching staff. The Osprey went 41-35 overall, including 4-2 in postseason play, capturing the Pioneer League Championship.

The AZL D-backs will be guided by Luis Urueta, the first Columbian native to play for the D-backs, who enters his 12th season with the organization after playing for five years (1998-2002) and coaching for six (2007-present). Former D-backs pitcher Jeff Bajenaru begins his third campaign as the club’s pitching coach and will be accompanied by former big leaguer Bobby Smith, who enters his third season as a hitting coach for the organization.